MG

When Cecil Kimber began offering sports car bodies on a Morris chassis, they became known as “Chummies.” Kimber honored his boss William Morris of Morris Garages by naming his company MG. By the time he introduced the octagonal logo that is now known worldwide and respected by millions of MG fans, Kimber’s cars were fully bespoke vehicles. Upscale appeal drew royalty such as the Duke of Edinburgh and the Prince of Wales to own MGs. It wasn’t long after that MG began making their mark in racing as the first non-Italian brand to win the Mille Miglia. MGs went on to race in many arenas of competition, including land speed records where none other than Stirling Moss piloted the “Roaring Raindrop” to a speed of 246 mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats. When the brand was bought by Rover, MGs became little more than rebadged Rover’s. But one little MG Metro was engineered to be one of the most spectacular Group B rally cars – the 6R4. The brand has since been owned by BMW, BMC and now by the Chinese Nanjing Automobile Group. Despite its chaotic ownership history, racing remains a calling MG is ready to answer, having won the British Touring Car Championship multiple times in recent years.

1986 MG Metro 6R4 - Photo by HOOKERno1

Sometimes fate steps in before a vison can be realized. So it was for the Metro 6R4. After fighting for the budget to build a show car, Austin Rover Motorsport chief John Davenport hatched a plan to build a rally car with the help of the folks at Williams; a silhouette car based on the Metro. It would have 4WD to compete with the likes of the Audi Quattro and a rear engine, after realizing the driver would have to literally sit in the back seat to drive a front-engine version. Experimentation with other available motors led to the development of the specially built four cam, 24-valve, naturally-aspirated V6. The result made more than 400 hp and had incredible acceleration. This was a car that could be thrown into a corner late and pull itself through with enough throttle. The wide-body and aero kit were the last bits to be developed and it was said more power was to be found in the motor. Shortly after the car’s introduction to the press, and before it ever set foot in competition, Henri Toivinen went off a cliff in the Corsican Rally and the FISA ruled Group B cars as unsafe. Austin Rover subsequently gave up its rallying effort. As a result we will never know what may have been if the 6R4 had been given its chance – but at least you can experience that automotive potential in Forza Horizon 2.

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